300 Dundas Street London, Ontario Canada
Phone: 519-672-5666 Ext: 378Fax: 519-672-2674 mcnair@mckenzielake.com
After graduating from The University of Western Ontario in 1980 with his LLB designation, John then received his Master of Science degree (with distinction) in 1982 from the London School of Economics in England. He was called to the Bar in 1983 and has since accumulated over 25 years of experience in criminal and civil advocacy. A litigation partner with McKenzie Lake since its inception, John has developed special expertise in international rule of law projects in countries impacted by armed conflict.
Through his background in federal criminal prosecutions and anti-corruption investigations, John was appointed by international authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina as Deputy Chief Prosecutor in that country from 2004 to 2006. In that position he headed a team of international prosecutors who were charged with conducting organized crime and corruption cases before the state-level court in Sarajevo. He acted as lead prosecution counsel in the corruption trial of the former Bosnian president Ante Jelavic. John also served as an international prosecutor with the United Kingdom's Provincial Reconstruction Team in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, and was responsible for assisting in the investigation and prosecution of police corruption cases in the Basra province of southern Iraq.
A member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Advocates' Society, and the Middlesex Law Association, John specializes in litigation and dispute resolution, specifically in commercial litigation, contract disputes, shareholder actions, and administrative law. He has appeared as trial and appellate counsel in the Superior Court, Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal, as well as before various boards and tribunals. A considerable portion of John's practice is devoted to the defense of professional liability claims and disciplinary proceedings against lawyers, engineers and other professionals.
Outside of the courtroom, John enjoys hunting and fishing, boating, hockey, and -- appropriately -- travel. He is a member of the board of directors of London Ontario's Raoul Wallenberg Centre, the Conglomerate Hunt Club and the South Nissouri Presbyterian Church.
